Automatic Case Packing for Cookies

Company and project

This application was developed for a company that is a leader in the private-label sweet-biscuit market.

To improve production-line performance, the company wanted to automate case packing. It therefore contacted JYGA for an automatic case packer with vertical side loading.

The case packer had to receive flow-packed cartons, receive stacks of flat RSC blanks, form the cases, load the cases and provide access for manual lid placement. The cell also had to integrate an existing case taping machine.

Solutions and results

To meet this requirement, JYGA recommended installing a robotic case packer. The machine includes a product infeed conveyor, two 6-axis robots on supports, a case former, a case conveyor, four case-packing stations and a case taper.

The products arrive crosswise with the facing side up. They are grouped into batches either standing upright, on edge or lying flat. At the same time, a case former supplies empty cases lengthwise onto a conveyor. Five retractable stops manage and position the cases.

At the case-packing station, the two robots use either clamp grippers or suction-cup grippers depending on the format. Upright batches are picked with clamps, while batches on edge or lying flat are picked with suction cups. Each robot serves two case-packing stations.

Once a case is full at one station, the robot automatically switches to the second. During this time, the full case is transferred onto the discharge conveyor and a new empty case is supplied.